HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Luigi ‘Gigi’ Riva is synonymous with Cagliari.
CNN
—
Italian soccer great Luigi “Gigi” Riva died on Monday at the age of 79, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said.
According to multiple reports, Riba fell ill over the weekend and was treated for suspected heart problems.
Nicknamed “Lombo di Tuono” (“Thunder”) because of his shooting and physical ability, Riva is the Italian national team’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Giuseppe since 1973. holds the title. Meaza.
Riva scored a total of 35 goals in 42 games for his country.
In a statement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed Riva as an undying champion, saying: “From today onwards, the history of football is like a puzzle without a single best piece. Have a nice journey, my love. Gigi.”
Riva made his international debut at the age of 20 and was part of Italy’s first European Championship winning team. He more than fulfilled his role, scoring the opening goal in Italy’s 2-0 win against Yugoslavia in the final.
Two years later, in the 1970 World Cup, he played a leading role for the Italian national team, scoring two goals against host Mexico in the quarterfinals, and netting in the “game of the century” in the semifinals’ 4-3 victory over West Germany. I shook it. ”
S&G/PA Images/Getty Images
Riva is Italy’s all-time leading scorer.
Italy reached the final, with five of the match’s seven goals coming in extra time, but ultimately lost 4-1 to Brazil and the legendary Pele.
“As a player, he was the greatest Italian striker of all time and one of the best strikers in the world,” said former Italy national team manager Arrigo Sacchi.
“When I worked with him in the national team, I met an extraordinary person, even greater than a football player. He gave his life for football and we should all be grateful. It won’t.”
At club level, Riva is synonymous with Cagliari, an Italian team based on the Italian island of Sardinia.
He joined the club at the age of 19 after making his professional debut with Serie C team Legnano Ivrea. He scored 208 goals in 378 games for the Sardinian national team and became the first player in the history of the Rosso Blue to be called up to the Italian national team.
Riva helped Cagliari gain promotion to Serie A for the first time in their history in his first year in charge, and won the Italian league title, the Scudetto, in the 1969/70 season. This was the only Serie A title in Cagliari’s history.
“He took Cagliari to a place where no one could go before, touching the clouds,” the club said in a statement titled “Eternal Gigi Riva.”
Alessandro Sabatini/Getty Images
Riva (R) was appointed honorary president of Cagliari in 2019.
“But he was more than just an extraordinary sporting champion, he was an example, a figurehead and a figurehead for Sardinia and the Sardinian people,” the Cagliari statement added.
“The identification between Gigi and Sardinia was complete and unfiltered. It had a taste of genuine and absolute love that nothing can erase.”
Riva’s playing career was interrupted in 1976 due to injury.
After retiring, Riva briefly served as Cagliari’s president during the 1986/87 season and as the national team’s accompanying director.
he played various roles Azzurri He played from 1988 to 2013, and was part of coach Marcello Lippi’s behind-the-scenes staff at the 2006 World Cup, helping Italy defeat France to become world champions for the fourth time.